Nico Schutte , Nicolene Schutte (Barkhuizen)
Abstract
The term “augmented workforce” has emerged in recent years due to the widespread use of robotics, artificial intelligence, the gig economy, and crowdsourcing technologies. The widespread use of information and communication technologies and business virtualisation have brought trust to the forefront of management concerns. At its most basic, the managerial conundrum boils down to a single question: how can one manage people they cannot physically observe? The laws of trust are apparent and well established; however, they contradict a managerial tradition that holds that efficiency and control are inextricably linked and that you cannot have much of one without a significant amount of the other. This paper examines the use of trust in the new hybrid workplace. The relationship between the individual and the organisation is being assessed considering recent digital trends. The article contends that there is a need to redefine trust in the hybrid work environment. This article further identified difficulties linked to this transition, such as decreased trust based on physical presence and increased concerns over fairness and transparency. The findings show the possibilities offered by a new work of work paradigm, such as establishing trust through measurable outcomes, transparent communication, and reciprocal respect.